Safety eyeglass case



Nov.30, 1948.. w. H. M ERCER SAFETY EYEGLASS CASE Filed Aug. 2, 1945 Patented Nov. 30, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12,455,079 {SAFETY EYEGLASS -o sE I Warren Henty'Meroer, z lnaheim, Calif. application 2, 1945,;SerialNo. 608,481

' ipmim. (015206-45-7 The object of the eye-glass case herein disclosed is to provide means for preventing loss or breakage of the glasses through falling fromv the case or pocket of the wearer.

Another object of my invention is to provide an eye-glass case in which the glasses will be held frictionally therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide in an eye-glass case means for protecting the glasses from being crushed from outside pressure there-against.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my eye-glass case,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view,

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of a shield,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the case,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1; and

Figure 7 is a detail elevational view of a broken away portion of a case wall.

In the accompanying drawings as above enumerated and in the following specification, like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout and in which indicates my eyeglass case which consists of a metal plate ll slightly arcuate in cross section and having a slightly elongated upper end l2, and to which a flap I is hingedly connected throughout its entire length even to the terminals l3 and M of said edge, said hinge I6 being a piano hinge in which a resilient or piano string wire I! is used for the pintle thereof. The action of the said formation of the hinge is such as to clamp the flap l5 tightly against the upper portion l8 of the member II when in closed down positiony'or to hold it in raised position when lifted up. Transverse spaced stifiening ribs l9 and 20 are provided on the outer surface 2| of member II, and the entire outer surface of this member is enclosed within leather pockets 22 and 23.

Secured to the edges 24, 25 and 26 of the leather pocket 22 is a fiat strip of leather 21, of a width just to reach said edges 24 and 2B. The edges 28, 29 and 30 of the strip 21 being stitched to the said edges 24 to 26. The upper end 3| of strip 21 is enlarged to conform to the end [2 of member l l, and projects in arcuate extension 32 to form a guide for a pair of eye-glasses into the pocket 33 formed between the member 21 and the inner layer 34 of the pocket 22, the space between said last two members being just sulficient to hold the glasses frictionally in the pocket. To the outer surface 35 of the extension,

32 is attached to a layer of material 36 adapted to somewhat reduce the mouth 31 of pocket 33, whereby the eyeglasses are more securely retained in the pocket. The flap 23 is provided with a finger engaging member 38 whereby the flap may be manipulated.

The above described case has been designed for use in connection with a shirt, into the pocket of which it may be placed and secured therein through springing the clasp 23 down upon the free edge of the pocket in order that the case cannot drop from the pocket even though inverted, as often happens when a mechanic or other person leans very far over or when the shirt is removed. It is obvious that the case may be held in a vest or other pocket in like manner. The interior of the pocket is lined with opposing layers 39 and 40 of plush or other suitable material which engages both sides of the glass lenses and will wipe them free of dust upon each ingress or removal from the pocket. The ribs l9 and 20 may be crimped in from the material of which the member II is formed. The shield ll forms a protection for the eye-glasses and the ribs will stifien the shield, whereby it may be formed of much thinner material than otherwise would be necessary.

This case is less bulky than the ordinary eye glass case and is as thin in construction as is practical for use, it fits the human body and therefore is properly contoured and conforming It can be used one handed} for that purpose. that is the eye glasses can be inserted and removed with utmost speed, simplicity and by the use of a single hand.

A transverse spring tongue 4| is struck in from the plate II which bears against the wall 34, whereby glasses must be forced into the lower portion of the case and be clamped therein which action will cause the members 39 and 4!] to tightly brush each side of a lense thereby keeping the lenses clean of dust and other foreign matter. The glasses will naturally be reversed from time to time as they are put in and removed from the case, assuring constant cleaning of both lenses.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details and parts such as come within the pur- 7 view of the invention claimed may be resorted to, in actual practice, if desired.

Having now described my invention that which I claim as new and desire to procure by Letters Patent is:

An eye-glass case including a receptacle open at its upperend and having a front wall forming a closed pocket and a cooperating rear wall sewed thereto along its bottom and opposite sides, a

stiffening plate having an upper flap hinged thereto disposed in said closed pocket, a sheet of flexible material secured to the front and rear walls, spaced transversely extending reinforcing and stiifening ribs on the forward surface of said plate, a resilient finger on the rear of said plate REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 353,203 Chase Nov. 23, 1886 1,242,187 Hayden Oct. 9, 1917 1,834,419 Pratt Dec. 1, 1931 and extending transversely thereof for retaining v 

